Read 1 Peter 2:13-20
A sure test of a person's character is how they respond to false accusations. If you, a believer, is faithfully serving Christ, you will be critized; and the more work you do, the more adverse comments you hear. Your value is measured not only by the friends you have but by the enemies you make as well. God pity the Christian who has no opposition at all - of whom it is said, "Everybody speaks well of him." No believer should want the world's praise or the devil's flattery. A pastor friend of mine once said, "Criticism is the muck in which the plants of the Lord grow strong." A child of God can profit more from criticism than from flattery, especially when it reveals your weaknesses and faults. Even if a charge is untrue, it can help you grow and bring glory to Christ.
The apostle Paul had his share of false accusations. In Romans 3:8 he spoke of slanderous reports. Some people were completely distorting his message of salvation by grace and thereby casting reflection of his apostleship. Servants of God in every age have been maligned: Noah, Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah - none of them escaped. And the most severely criticized of all was the Savior Himself. Yet He was unique, for every criticism leveled against Him was unjust!
The Bible says, "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you" (1 Peter 4:14). Whenever you are falsely attacked by others, be sure your response is Christlike. You are being proven by your critics!
This is an Overcomer's moment. God Bless............Howard Kent (Matthew 5:11)
Comments
Anyway, your message also reminded me of something another preacher said in a sermon, about it being a sin for ones feelings to be hurt, because whats really hurt is your pride. A humble person is rarely an overly sensitive person. Great Message Howard.:)
Thank you Howard,
God bless you and make us all Overcomers:)
Gerry Lee